Market Insights
The global human machine interface (HMI) market is expected to see significant growth through the forecast period 2015 – 2022, representing a positive outlook for industry players and trade partners across the value chain of the human industry. Human-machine interface (HMI) solutions providers are introducing advanced technologies to match customers’ requirements. This report includes an in-depth analysis of market trends and key opportunities in the market, along with market size and forecast of different types of human-machine interface technologies (HMI) in the global and regional markets.
This report provides exhaustive information on the human-machine interface (HMI) industry with global market estimates and forecasts for 2013 to 2022. This study includes demand-supply, technology, pricing, and regional trends and their impact on the market growth. Human-machine interface (HMI) market is classified based on type, application, and regional market. An in-depth analysis, along with market size and forecast, is provided for each of these segments. Segment analysis provides exhaustive ideas about key investment areas in particular regional markets. The report also includes the market estimates and forecasts for major countries in each regional market. The information also contains high-level analysis such as PESTEL analysis, critical opportunity analysis, and market positioning of key players.
The report also includes profiles of the major human-machine interface (HMI) solutions providers in the global market, along with their financial overview, market winning strategies, recent developments, and product offerings in the HMI market. This report will help human-machine interface (HMI) solution providers, system integrators, and related trade partners to identify key investment areas and formulate their strategies.
Types of Human Machine Interface (HMI) Technologies – Market Analysis
Based on the type, Human Machine Interface (HMI) is classified into four major categories – displays/touchscreens, industrial PCs, interface software, and other control systems. We have considered the following type of touchscreen technologies:
- Resistive touchscreen
- Capacitive touchscreen
- Near-field Imaging (NFI)
- Infrared and dispersive
In addition, we have considered the following components to estimate the overall market size of the industrial PC segment:
- Input/output devices
- Storage devices
- Processors
- Others (Cables, connectors, and plugs)
Industrial software used in human-machine interface (HMI) applications accounted for the largest revenue share compared to other HMI solutions. Human interface (HMI) software includes man-machine interface software (MMI), configuration software, data acquisition software, data analysis software, monitoring and controlling software, and programming software. The HMI software solutions provide flexibility and reliability and improve operators’ safety at the workplace, driving the demand for these software solutions. Global manufacturers are integrating their machinery on factory floors with advanced touchscreen technologies to improve their production process. Continuous advancements in display technologies to improve operators’ experience have been driving this market growth for the last five years.
Moreover, the rising need for mobility and shifting trends towards bringing your device (BYOD) is increasing the demand for mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and others for a user interface on factory floors. This is expected to fuel the demand for touchscreen technologies from 2015 – 2022. Industrial PCs and HMI services will also likely see significant growth through the forecast period.
Application Segmentation Analysis – Human Machine Interface (HMI) Market
We have considered human machines interface (HMI) technologies used for the following applications:
- Automotive
- Healthcare
- Food and beverages industry,
- Oil and gas industry,
- Packaging industry,
- Aerospace and defense industry,
- Metals and mining industry
- Other industries
In 2014, automotive was the largest application segment for human-machine interface providers and accounted for % of the global HMI market. The automotive sector is expected to maintain its dominating position throughout the forecast. Human-machine interface solutions reduce the operating cost and control and monitoring of manufacturing processes for automotive manufacturers, increasing the adoption of HMI technologies in this sector. The Oil and gas segment is predicted to see the fastest growth in the applications segment. The main challenge in this industry is accessing information physically and virtually from remote areas. HMI systems provide accessible information in real-time, remote diagnosis of processes and equipment, and remote operation, among others.
Pharmaceutical manufacturing companies worldwide are facing challenges from stringent drug manufacturing regulations. Thus, pharmaceutical manufacturers are increasingly investing in advanced solutions that improve the efficiency of their production process while meeting drug manufacturing regulations. In addition, rising market competition forces them to deploy advanced solutions to enhance their productivity and reduce operational costs. All these factors are expected to spur the demand for human-machine interface technologies in the pharmaceutical industry.
Human-machine interface (HMI) includes a set of electronics or user interfaces used in industrial plants to control manufacturing and process. Some major components of Human machine interface (HMI) include display screens, keyboards, membrane switches, and other input or output systems used by the operators to interact, monitor and control. Standard HMI system design consists of interaction specification, interface software specification, and prototyping. HMI system solutions include various technologies and tools such as sensors, processors, communication devices, and alarm switches that monitor and control the manufacturing process at industrial plants.
In the last decade, human-machine interface technology evolved rapidly, and the market has seen several developments. Advanced human-machine interface technologies are increasingly replacing traditional interface methods with the rising need to handle dynamic data. Previously, push buttons and lights were used to monitor and control processes in industrial plants, which have been replaced by advanced digital control systems. Availability of electronic terminals at a cheaper cost and rapid advancement in data handling technology influenced industrial manufacturers to upgrade their plants with cutting-edge solutions. These technologies improve production efficiency by adding new capabilities to the plant floor.
Following are some significant evolutions in the human-machine interface (HMI) technology:
- The 1980s: In this phase, pushbutton, lights, gauges, dials, tubes, and annunciators were used with process flow diagrams (PFDs) to monitor processes.
- The 1980s – mid-1990s: Proprietary man-machine interface (MMI) from distributed control systems (DCS) companies used for control room applications. Programmable logic controllers (PLC) manufacturers use operator interface terminals (OITs) for on-machine tools.
- The mid-1990s: During this phase, PC were introduced to monitor and control industrial operations. Microsoft introduced Windows NT and Windows OS.
- Mid 1990 to Late 1190: Ethernet was introduced in this phase and enabled boundless connectivity on the plant floor
2000 – 2009:
- Display technology was introduced for hazardous areas.
- Distributed control systems (DCS) companies started working on PC specification and HMI software solutions
- Active matrix technology was introduced to overcome ghosting problems in passive matrix technology
- Introduction of multiple touchscreen technology to support multiple applications and environmental conditions
- The shift from the keyboard, video, and mouse extenders to thin client architecture. Widescreen display systems were introduced based on consumer television technology
Video technology and several multi-touch technologies have been introduced in this phase. The emerging trend of bringing your device (BYOD) has increased mobile devices such as tablets, smartphones, laptops, and HMI applications to monitor and control industrial operations.
In today’s competitive market environment, industries worldwide are facing challenges in managing and accessing large volumes of operational information. HMI software solutions are evolving rapidly to process and access information on the shop floor and other multiple locations. End users are now looking for advanced HMI solutions that support multi-node, multi-process applications with an intuitive graphic interface for complex manufacturing and processing applications. End users prefer intelligence panels over traditional HMI systems due to the rising need to process information at multiple locations in the plant.
HMI solution providers work closely with their clients to provide highly compatible solutions for completely controlling their plants. Vendors focus on developing advanced interface solutions easily compatible with PLC and SCADA systems. Rising demand is observed for integrated video streaming solutions for better diagnostics of the process in HMI technologies. Moreover, end users are looking for integrated SCADA and HMI solutions instead of installing these solutions separately. The demand for advanced HMI solutions is expected to increase with the rising need to improve the efficiency of the production process and reduce the risk of human errors.
Geography Segmentation Analysis – Human Machine Interface (HMI) Market
We have segmented the global human machine interface (HMI) market into four regions, i.e., North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW). The rest of the world includes South America, the Middle East, and Africa. North America is the largest regional market, followed by Europe in 2014. In Europe and North America, rising market competition is encouraging manufacturers to replace their outdated machinery with advanced, faster, and more efficient control and monitoring systems to improve their productivity and reduce operating costs. In addition, stringent regulations and standards to improve workers’ safety at plants force manufacturers to deploy human-machine interface technologies that help to reduce accidents at the workplace.
In 2014, Asia-Pacific represented the fastest growing regional market for human-machine interface (HMI) technologies and was predicted to become the largest regional market from 2015 – 2022. Growing industrialization is the primary factor driving the demand for industrial automation. As a result, manufacturers from developed regions are expanding their presence in this region to gain the advantage of low manufacturing and labor costs. The majority of growth in this market is expected from India, China, South Korea, Indonesia, Australia, Japan, and others. In this region, demand for HMI software is growing rapidly with expanding acceptance of PC-based monitoring and control systems. The majority of the demand for human-machine interface solutions is expected from the growing regional pharmaceuticals, automobile, and food and beverage sectors.